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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through with any of these methods? I'm curious which one worked for you. Also, make sure you're not calling the main EDD unemployment line by mistake. The SDI specific number is 1-800-480-3287 for English.
Great news! I FINALLY got through this morning using a combination of the tips here. Called at 8:02am exactly as someone suggested, then waited silently for about 30 seconds before choosing options. Still got the busy message twice, but on the third try I got into the queue with a 45-minute wait. The agent was able to fix the issue with my claim and said payments should resume within 3 days. THANK YOU all for the help - I was seriously about to have a breakdown over this!
That's such a relief to hear @Fatima Al-Qasimi! I'm dealing with the same phone nightmare right now for my own SDI claim. Going to try the 8:02am + silent wait combo tomorrow morning. Really glad you got it sorted out before your rent was due. These tips from everyone here are gold - saving this whole thread for future reference!
So glad you got through @Fatima Al-Qasimi! This gives me hope. I've been stuck in the same loop with SDI for my disability claim - called probably 80+ times this week alone. The new phone system is absolutely brutal. Going to try the 8:02am timing with the silent wait trick tomorrow. It's insane that we have to develop these elaborate strategies just to talk to someone about our benefits. The stress of not being able to reach them when you're already dealing with a disability is just cruel. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works - this thread is more helpful than anything on EDD's actual website!
@Effie Alexander You re'absolutely right about the stress - it s'like they designed the system to make us give up! I just went through this exact same nightmare and wanted to share one more tip that helped me: if you re'still having trouble with the timing tricks, try calling during their less "popular hours" like right after lunch 1:15-1:30pm (or) late afternoon 3:30-4:00pm (.)Also, make sure you have a backup plan ready - I had to submit that online contact request through SDI Online as someone mentioned, and it actually got a response in 2 days when the phones failed me completely. Don t'give up, the persistence really does pay off eventually!
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Another option to consider is checking if California has any reciprocity agreements with Tennessee that might help your case. Some states have interstate compacts that make it easier to transfer benefits or handle cross-state moves. Also, make sure to save all communication with your current employer about the remote work request - having documentation that you tried to keep your job but were denied remote work could strengthen your "good cause" argument. The fact that you made an effort to avoid quitting shows you're not just voluntarily leaving without trying alternatives first.
That's a really smart point about documenting the remote work denial! I hadn't thought about how that could actually help my case by showing I exhausted other options first. I'll make sure to get that conversation with my supervisor in writing - maybe follow up with an email summarizing what we discussed about the HIPAA/physical file requirements. Thanks for mentioning the interstate agreements too - I'll look into whether CA and TN have any special arrangements that might apply.
I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. When I relocated from CA to Oregon with my long-term partner (not married), I was initially denied but got approved on appeal. The key things that helped were: 1) We had been together for 4+ years with joint bank accounts, shared lease, and combined finances, 2) I documented that my partner's job was the primary household income and the move was financially necessary for our "family unit", 3) I included a letter from a family law attorney explaining how our relationship met the criteria for a domestic partnership even though we hadn't formally registered one. The whole process took about 6 months but I eventually received retroactive benefits. Don't let the initial denial discourage you - the appeals officers seemed more knowledgeable about these nuanced situations than the first-level reviewers.
This is really encouraging to hear! The 6-month timeline is good to know so I can plan accordingly. I'm curious about the family law attorney letter - did you have to pay for that consultation or were you able to get a brief letter without a full consultation? My partner and I have been together for about 2.5 years with joint accounts and a shared lease, so hopefully that's enough documentation. The fact that you eventually got retroactive benefits makes the appeal process seem much more worthwhile, even if it takes time.
I paid about $150 for a brief consultation where the attorney reviewed our situation and wrote a 2-page letter explaining how our relationship met the legal standards for a domestic partnership under California law. It wasn't a full legal representation, just a professional opinion letter that I could submit with my appeal. The attorney said that 2.5+ years with joint finances and shared housing is typically sufficient, especially if you can show financial interdependence (like one person covering rent while the other handles utilities, or joint savings goals). The retroactive benefits were definitely worth the wait and the attorney fee - I ended up receiving about $8,000 in back payments. Just make sure to keep documenting everything during the process in case they ask for additional proof later.
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I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Got my disqualification notice 4 days ago for "willful misrepresentation" but like everyone else here, I'm certain I reported everything correctly. The worst part is not knowing what I supposedly did wrong - the notice gives zero details. I've already started printing out all my certification confirmations and pay stubs based on the advice here. For anyone still waiting for their overpayment notice, I found that calling EDD first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM) gives you the best chance of getting through. I managed to reach someone yesterday who at least confirmed what weeks they're questioning, even though she couldn't reverse the decision over the phone. Don't give up - it sounds like most of these cases get resolved in favor of the claimant when you have proper documentation and persistence!
I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It's frustrating how vague these disqualification notices are - they really should be required to tell us exactly what we supposedly did wrong. Your tip about calling at 8:01 AM is gold - I'm going to try that tomorrow morning. It's encouraging that you at least got some information about which weeks they're questioning. That's more progress than I've made so far! I'm also printing everything out now instead of just relying on screenshots. There's something about having physical copies that feels more official for an appeal. Keep us updated on how your situation progresses - it's really helpful to hear real-time experiences from people going through the same thing. We're all going to get through this!
I just went through this exact same nightmare last month! Got the disqualification notice on a Tuesday for "false statement" and the overpayment notice arrived exactly 16 days later. Like everyone else here, I was totally confused about what I supposedly did wrong since I answered everything honestly. Turns out EDD's system flagged me because I reported working 2 days one week but they thought I should have been "unavailable for work" those days. Complete misunderstanding that got cleared up once I reached an actual human being. My advice: start calling EDD NOW while you're waiting for the overpayment notice - don't wait. I used the technique someone mentioned about calling right at 8:01 AM and got through on my 3rd try. The rep was able to explain exactly what triggered the disqualification and even put notes in my file for the appeal. Also, gather EVERYTHING - I printed out all my certifications, work schedules, even text messages with my boss about my hours. When the overpayment notice comes, you'll have 30 days to appeal, but having everything ready beforehand makes the process so much smoother. Don't panic - most of these really are system errors that can be fixed!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience and timeline - 16 days is right in that 2-3 week window everyone's been mentioning. Your situation with the work availability misunderstanding sounds so similar to what I'm probably dealing with. I definitely reported some part-time work correctly, but maybe their system interpreted it wrong too. I'm going to take your advice and start calling tomorrow morning at 8:01 AM - it's brilliant that you can sometimes get the issue resolved even before the overpayment notice arrives. I've been so focused on waiting for that notice that I didn't think about being proactive with phone calls now. Really appreciate the tip about getting notes put in your file for the appeal too - that sounds like it could make a huge difference. This whole thread has given me so much hope that this is fixable!
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Thank you for the step-by-step! That makes it super clear. I'm going to set mine up for both text and email too.
I've been using the Money Network card for about 6 months now and wanted to share a few tips that might help! First, definitely set up those notifications - they're a lifesaver. But also download the Money Network mobile app if you haven't already. It's way easier to check your balance quickly on your phone than logging into the website every time. The app also sends push notifications which I find more reliable than SMS sometimes. One thing to watch out for - there are ATM fees if you use machines outside their network, so look for MoneyPass ATMs to avoid those charges. You can find locations on their website. Hope this helps!
Thanks for mentioning the MoneyPass ATMs! I had no idea about that and have definitely been getting hit with fees. Do you know if there's a way to find MoneyPass locations through the mobile app itself, or do you have to go to the website? Also, have you noticed any differences between the push notifications from the app versus the SMS alerts? Wondering if I should set up both or just stick with one.
@Connor Richards Yes, you can find MoneyPass ATM locations right in the mobile app! There s'usually an ATM "Locator or" Find "ATM option" in the menu. Super convenient when you re'out and about. As for notifications, I personally use both - the push notifications from the app are usually faster, but I keep the SMS as backup since sometimes apps can have issues with notifications if your phone is in do not disturb mode or if you accidentally dismiss them. The SMS feels more reliable for important stuff like deposit confirmations. Better safe than sorry with unemployment payments!
Dmitry Petrov
I went through this exact same situation last year with my employer's holiday shutdown. Just wanted to add a few things that helped me: 1. Keep all documentation from your employer about the shutdown dates - emails, notices, etc. EDD sometimes asks for proof it's temporary 2. If you have any unused vacation days, your company might let you use them for some of the unpaid days instead of taking the full hit 3. The online application actually handles temporary layoffs pretty well now - just make sure to select "temporary layoff" and put in your expected return date The whole process was way less stressful than I expected. Got my benefits for the second week without any issues. Good luck!
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Sean Doyle
•This is really helpful, thank you! I didn't even think about keeping documentation from my employer. Do you remember roughly how long it took to get your benefits approved once you filed? I'm trying to plan my budget for January and wondering if I should expect any delays.
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Steven Adams
I've been through this same situation multiple times over the years. Definitely file for unemployment - temporary layoffs absolutely qualify! A few things that really helped me: 1. File your claim about a week before the shutdown starts if possible. This gives EDD time to process it before you actually need the benefits. 2. When you certify for benefits, be super precise about which days you worked vs didn't work. For the holiday pay days, mark those as worked and report the exact amount you received. 3. Keep a copy of any company communication about the shutdown dates and return date. I've never been asked for it, but it's good to have just in case. 4. The waiting period situation has changed a few times, so definitely check the current rules when you file. Even if there is one, getting benefits for the second week still makes a real difference. The whole process is pretty straightforward for temporary layoffs now compared to a few years ago. The online system handles it well and you shouldn't need to call unless something gets stuck. Good luck with your claim!
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Ava Johnson
•This is such great advice! Filing a week early is really smart - I hadn't thought about getting ahead of the processing time. I'm definitely going to do that. Quick question though - when you say "mark those as worked" for the holiday pay days, do you mean I should report them as full work days even though the company is shut down? Or just indicate that I received pay for those specific days? Want to make sure I don't mess up the certification process.
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StarStrider
•When you certify, you'll report the holiday pay days as days you received wages, but you don't mark them as full work days since you weren't actually working. There's usually a section where you report any wages received during the certification period - that's where you'd put the holiday pay amounts. Then for the work/no work part, you'd indicate you didn't work those days due to lack of work (company shutdown). The key is being accurate about receiving pay vs actually working. EDD needs to know about all income during your claim period, even if it's holiday pay while not working.
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